November 29th – Harrisburg, PA
Matt picked me up from the airport at 1:30 and by 2:30 we were already on the road. We ran out of gas twice within half an hour, the second time not within walking distance to a gas station. We played a shakey first show and even though I hadn’t been gone 12 hours things had already began to shake up back home. I use to wonder what it felt like to always walk on solid ground, but now I know I have no interest in solid ground and that I am only interested in keeping myself standing on whatever is below my feet.
November 30th – Olean, NY
Olean is cold and there is snow all around me. We talked in the van about hording vegetable oil and burying it underground to collect the next time we come through an area. I could not enjoy myself playing tonight…I have no idea why. Every note I played sounded wrong, my fingers were never where I wanted them to be. Every movement I made seemed phony and I felt like everyone can see right through me even though I have nothing to hide.
December 1 – Cleveland. OH.
Today was the most absurd off day I have ever had. Within an hour of waking up I began arguing over text messages. I turned off my phone and took a shower, turned it back on and continued to argue until we got to the Rock n Roll hall of fame. I really wonder how this place stays open, because I cant imagine that there is a lot of interest in seeing Kurt Cobains guitar. I mean, yeah it was played by Kurt Cobain, but its still just a fucking guitar. The whole rock n roll hall of fame is a place that sort of pinpoints everything I find wrong with a lot of pop culture – the rock n roll hall of fame tells us that we should care about these guitars because these important people played them, when really, its just a guitar. Lots of people have them, and lots of people play them and write songs. The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame tells us that we should care about ordinary things that ordinary people do ordinary things with because they do it in front of a lot of people, that because of this all of these ordinary things are special. Its because of places like the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and the culture that surrounds those kind of people and those ideas that cause ordinary people like Kurt Cobain to blow their fucking brains out.
After the HOF we went to a shitty armature stand up comedy thing, took part in the shooting of a Christmas Ale video and I think I almost got mugged.
After that Kyle, Sam and I ate a whole lot of chocolate.
December 2nd – Dayton. OH
We played at the Dayton Dirt Collective in Dayton, OH and it is exactly the kind of space I want to open in Atlanta. I get very sad that we don’t have a space like that and I feel like I could do it if I just bit the bullet and did it. When we were driving a deer ran across the road and it was the closest I have ever been to killing an animal. I fought with my parents and I am not really sure why.
December 3rd – OFF in Dayton, OH
I think I am all about learning things the hard way. The past three months I have been learning lessons about tour life all the hard way…more specifically about relationships at home. You cant control what people do when you are gone, and you can’t control how they will handle you being gone.
I have this issue where I have epiphanies or realizations at the last possible minute and only get to enjoy the fruits of my proverbial lightbulb for a short amount of time. I have 4 days left of tour this year and obviously this is no exception.
December 4th – Louisville, KY
Skull Alley is just as awesome as the Dayton Dirt Collective. Its really cold in Lousiville. We are staying with Micha and I realized that back in January I slept in his bed when I was on tour with Worn in Red. He had left for the night his roommates said I could sleep in his bed if I so desired. So I did. The look on Micha’s face when I told him that I think I have slept in his bed before was without question the most befuddled and awkward expression I have ever seen and I will cherish it for as long as I live.
December 5th – Murfreesboro, TN
Watching a band called Zombie Bazooka Patrol play a set and sing songs about zombies eating humans and embracing the transformation to zombies doesn’t really hit home when the band decides not to dress up in their makeup for the show. Something about all of it just doesn’t click.
December 6th – Knoxville, TN
We are playing at a convention to a bunch of nerds tonight. Nerds, when rallied together, are an interesting group. We are the outsiders, and this is their event. One little fat kid with braces smarted off to me. Another asked me to leave “their spot” where they had been sitting. I don’t take much offense to any of this because when they aren’t spending their weekends in conventions they are sitting at their computers or playing rock band or playing D&D. Let them eat cake every once in a while.
December 7th – Chattanooga, TN
We played with the Sadistic Scenic City Sideshow tonight and for being people that stable paper money to their chests and who nail crosses to their hand and swallow goldfish and walk on glass all of them were some of the sweetest people I have ever encountered. By now I feel like I should be hardened and that there should be no surprises…that spending time with a man that makes vomit videos would prove to me that no one is really how they seem, but I was really caught off guard at how un-abrasive, genuine and gentle the Sadistic Sideshowers were. I told them to hit me up if they were ever in Atlanta and I would take care of them…I would love to have them as houseguests someday.
December 8th – Marietta, GA
The last show of tour. It doesn’t feel like tour is over, but it is over. A rather anti-climatic way to end a good 3 months of my life, but its over. It doesn’t feel like tour is over. Tomorrow I will wake up in my bed. I will wake up in my bed every day for a long time. Tour is over and I start working again soon. I start trying to make money again. I start saving money again. Tomorrow I have nothing to do and that makes me really anxious and nervous. I have nothing to do tomorrow and I am scared that I will fall back in to being complacent in being bored and ignoring opportunity. Tonight was the last show of tour and it certainly starting to feel like tour is over.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
As of the past week or so I have been helping Witt with booking all the shows at WonderRoot...it works out pretty well because its like running a venue without all the bullshit involved, and its nice to know that my friends that are in bands that aren’t idiots I can now help out with shows. But anyway.
One thing that I have noticed a lot since I started getting the booking e-mails is the abundance of local bands looking to put together local shows. This has blown my mind because being that kind of band has no interest to me anymore. To me, whats the point of playing a show at a small artspace if there isn’t a touring band to help out? I have long since decided that outside of special occasions that playing in Atlanta isn’t anything I am interested in unless there is a band on tour that needs a show. But there is a whole sect of bands that just want to get together with their other friends and just play to some more friends. So I guess all of this is to say that there are two kinds of bands out there: local bands and touring bands.
I know it is quite pompous to say this, and I guess I need to find a better word for it, but I would place my bands in Atlanta into the “touring band” category, even though I think collectively Die Benny and Benard have spent a month out of the past 2 years on tour. But having said that, we have spent time outside of the city, and I feel like our stance as a band is somewhat of a greater picture than just playing with our friends at WonderRoot or Lenny’s. I would say the goals of a “touring band” and a “local band” are much different, and the goals of a touring band are probably much more self serving and idiotic, but there is a certain sense of expanding your audience outside of your friends in your hometown. I don’t think Benard is, or will ever be, the type of band that fan boys nerd out over on message boards and I know that we’ll probably never open for Abel Baker Fox at Common Grounds on Day 2 of the Fest, but, there are people who dig our band that aren’t from Atlanta (even though those people are probably restricted to Gainesville, FL Saint Louis and Charlottesville, VA). What I am trying to say is that the stance I have taken with my bands is that everyone in Atlanta that could be remotely interested in hearing our band already has, and has made a decision on us, and after that what’s the point of playing shows with more bands that are in the same place? Furthermore, what is that doing for our scene and our community if the same 4 bands are just going to get together and play shows to the same 20 people? I feel like it’s the obligation of “local” bands to draw crowds to see touring bands and not to sit around and sing songs to eachother. For example, Benard is playing this Thursday with Sorry No Ferrari and imadethismistake, who is Kylewilliam from Tallahassee’s band, and if for some reason he had to cancel the show/tour, Sorry no Ferrari and Benard would probably both just drop off the show as well. That because, at least I feel, our duty as bands from Atlanta to draw kids out to see bands that don’t have any kind of draw in Atlanta. And if the band that needs help in Atlanta doesn’t need any help anymore, then what’s the use of hauling all our gear and bothering the people that run the venue, just so we can play the same old songs to the same people.
It doesn’t mean much coming from a guy like me, but if you are going to a show that your friends band is playing, and if they are playing with a couple touring bands, then honestly you are there to check out the touring bands. You may not like them, but I feel like it is your obligation as a van of music and DIY shows to at least check out the touring bands. I mean, lets face it, you have seen Die Benny play 100 times, and checking out and supporting a band from 1,000 miles away is way more important that screaming at us to play “Clapping” because we are dicks and didn’t put it on the set list.
Sometimes I wish I could just be in a local band though. I think it would be much easier and enjoyable, because the little minute things that I turn into horrible atomic bomb sized issues (like printing shirts, booking tours, recording, press, etc) don’t exist. Local bands are just there to play music with their friends and to hang out and write songs and just do whatever. And that’s fine and like I said I envy that to a degree, but there is no goal there; I can’t just be that laid back about it. Playing in stupid punk rock bands is about the only thing in my life I have felt I have a knack for, and I’m way too hardheaded and dumb to just leave it at that. I always have to keep pushing it to be the biggest thing it can possibly be, no matter how worthless and stressful that is.
One thing that I have noticed a lot since I started getting the booking e-mails is the abundance of local bands looking to put together local shows. This has blown my mind because being that kind of band has no interest to me anymore. To me, whats the point of playing a show at a small artspace if there isn’t a touring band to help out? I have long since decided that outside of special occasions that playing in Atlanta isn’t anything I am interested in unless there is a band on tour that needs a show. But there is a whole sect of bands that just want to get together with their other friends and just play to some more friends. So I guess all of this is to say that there are two kinds of bands out there: local bands and touring bands.
I know it is quite pompous to say this, and I guess I need to find a better word for it, but I would place my bands in Atlanta into the “touring band” category, even though I think collectively Die Benny and Benard have spent a month out of the past 2 years on tour. But having said that, we have spent time outside of the city, and I feel like our stance as a band is somewhat of a greater picture than just playing with our friends at WonderRoot or Lenny’s. I would say the goals of a “touring band” and a “local band” are much different, and the goals of a touring band are probably much more self serving and idiotic, but there is a certain sense of expanding your audience outside of your friends in your hometown. I don’t think Benard is, or will ever be, the type of band that fan boys nerd out over on message boards and I know that we’ll probably never open for Abel Baker Fox at Common Grounds on Day 2 of the Fest, but, there are people who dig our band that aren’t from Atlanta (even though those people are probably restricted to Gainesville, FL Saint Louis and Charlottesville, VA). What I am trying to say is that the stance I have taken with my bands is that everyone in Atlanta that could be remotely interested in hearing our band already has, and has made a decision on us, and after that what’s the point of playing shows with more bands that are in the same place? Furthermore, what is that doing for our scene and our community if the same 4 bands are just going to get together and play shows to the same 20 people? I feel like it’s the obligation of “local” bands to draw crowds to see touring bands and not to sit around and sing songs to eachother. For example, Benard is playing this Thursday with Sorry No Ferrari and imadethismistake, who is Kylewilliam from Tallahassee’s band, and if for some reason he had to cancel the show/tour, Sorry no Ferrari and Benard would probably both just drop off the show as well. That because, at least I feel, our duty as bands from Atlanta to draw kids out to see bands that don’t have any kind of draw in Atlanta. And if the band that needs help in Atlanta doesn’t need any help anymore, then what’s the use of hauling all our gear and bothering the people that run the venue, just so we can play the same old songs to the same people.
It doesn’t mean much coming from a guy like me, but if you are going to a show that your friends band is playing, and if they are playing with a couple touring bands, then honestly you are there to check out the touring bands. You may not like them, but I feel like it is your obligation as a van of music and DIY shows to at least check out the touring bands. I mean, lets face it, you have seen Die Benny play 100 times, and checking out and supporting a band from 1,000 miles away is way more important that screaming at us to play “Clapping” because we are dicks and didn’t put it on the set list.
Sometimes I wish I could just be in a local band though. I think it would be much easier and enjoyable, because the little minute things that I turn into horrible atomic bomb sized issues (like printing shirts, booking tours, recording, press, etc) don’t exist. Local bands are just there to play music with their friends and to hang out and write songs and just do whatever. And that’s fine and like I said I envy that to a degree, but there is no goal there; I can’t just be that laid back about it. Playing in stupid punk rock bands is about the only thing in my life I have felt I have a knack for, and I’m way too hardheaded and dumb to just leave it at that. I always have to keep pushing it to be the biggest thing it can possibly be, no matter how worthless and stressful that is.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
When I first read about this guy, I fucking hated him. After I watched this video I realized how amazing all of this really is. I don't think you have to be a record collector to understand this guys passion for music.
The Archive from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.
The Archive from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.
I Promised myself I wouldn't cry, and I didn't
The new Fake Problems record makes me very depressed. Not because it is bad, or sad, or even because it is so great. It makes me depressed because I know these kids are my age and younger, and this is what they are creating. The musicianship and the instrumentation in the song-writing on their new LP "It's Great To Be Alive" is so intricate, complex and dense that it makes me so sad, simply because their are so many layers on this record that I never could have thought of. The songs these guys wrote are so complex and beautifully crafted, and they are my age. I am my age, and what am I creating? What am I doing other than playing other peoples songs? I think I wrote 3 new songs last year with my bands and maybe 2 more that will never see the light of day. I thoroughly enjoyed how I spent my year, but what am I creating, other than a ringing in peoples ears in a couple cities on the east coast?
When you compare records like "It's Great To Be Alive" to what i accomplished in 2008 and I think thats where you can draw the line between artist and musician...They are artist, I am just a musician.
When you compare records like "It's Great To Be Alive" to what i accomplished in 2008 and I think thats where you can draw the line between artist and musician...They are artist, I am just a musician.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
i use to be real big into End of the Year lists. I guess I'm not anymore...it was hard to think of 10 albums that I really liked. Anyway, if i had to make a "2008 Mixtape" this would be it. I dont think all of these songs came out this year, but these were what i listened to a lot....
1. "Get Some Sleep" - Lemuria
2. "Chips Ahoy" - the Hold Steady
3. "Wendy Clear" - Fake Problems
4. "You're Not Afraid of the Dark, Are You?" - Look Mexico
5. "Call to the Comptrollers Office" - Bridge and Tunnel
6. "Vinegar and Baking Soda" - Scream Hello
7. "Mechanical" - Lemuria
8. "Massive Nights" - The Hold Steady
9. "Foolish Optimism" - Jena Berlin
10. "Sponsorship For Life" - Antillectual
11. "Seconds Before the Bottom Drops Out" - Glass and Ashes
12. "When People Have Something to Say" - Worn in Red
13. "Track 2" - Make Do and Mend
14. "Posterchild" - Crossbearer
15. "They Know Not" - The Hope Conspiracy
16. "Stars" - Hum
17. "Bleach Funeral" - City of Ships
18. "Chimps Night Out" - OleHole
19. "Young Bloods" - the Bronx.
So there's that. I havent had a day off since December 7th.
1. "Get Some Sleep" - Lemuria
2. "Chips Ahoy" - the Hold Steady
3. "Wendy Clear" - Fake Problems
4. "You're Not Afraid of the Dark, Are You?" - Look Mexico
5. "Call to the Comptrollers Office" - Bridge and Tunnel
6. "Vinegar and Baking Soda" - Scream Hello
7. "Mechanical" - Lemuria
8. "Massive Nights" - The Hold Steady
9. "Foolish Optimism" - Jena Berlin
10. "Sponsorship For Life" - Antillectual
11. "Seconds Before the Bottom Drops Out" - Glass and Ashes
12. "When People Have Something to Say" - Worn in Red
13. "Track 2" - Make Do and Mend
14. "Posterchild" - Crossbearer
15. "They Know Not" - The Hope Conspiracy
16. "Stars" - Hum
17. "Bleach Funeral" - City of Ships
18. "Chimps Night Out" - OleHole
19. "Young Bloods" - the Bronx.
So there's that. I havent had a day off since December 7th.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Last night I showed up to a petsit and one of the dogs wasn't in the back yard. I spent two hours with another sitter and my boss looking for the dog. The dogs at this clients house stay in the basement and have a dogie door that lets them go in and out of the house as they please. Apparently the missing dog got out of the fence sometime between my morning visit and when i returned for the evening. There was no opening in the fence anywhere, no holes to get out. There was still no sign of him this morning.
My boss just called me to tell me that he was hit by a car and died. This is not my fault, nor is our companies fault...the dog simply jumped the fence or got out somehow. We never touched the gate, he must have just been spooked by the fireworks and jumped the fence and got turned around. Its no ones fault but i still feel a ton of guilt and have no idea how to handle this situation, and cannot believe this happened on one of my sits and with my dogs that I was paid to take care of.
My boss just called me to tell me that he was hit by a car and died. This is not my fault, nor is our companies fault...the dog simply jumped the fence or got out somehow. We never touched the gate, he must have just been spooked by the fireworks and jumped the fence and got turned around. Its no ones fault but i still feel a ton of guilt and have no idea how to handle this situation, and cannot believe this happened on one of my sits and with my dogs that I was paid to take care of.
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